Inaugural Home Opener for Lefties

The start-up Port Angeles Lefties (Summer Collegiate, West Coast League) fell 11-2 to its crosswater rival the Victoria HarbourCats on the team inaugural home opener at Civic Stadium on Thursday night in front of a crowd estimated between 1,500 to 2,000 people.  Read more here.  Watch video here.

Lefties Unveil Logo, WCL Adds to Front Office

The new Port Angeles Lefties (Summer Collegiate, West Coast League) have unveiled their logo, as the team prepares for its inaugural 2017 season at Civic Stadium in Port Angeles (WA).  Meanwhile, the league has announced the addition of Jonathan Hodgson to its marketing communications team.  Hodgson will act as the WCL’s Coordinator of Online Communications.  Read more here.  Thanks to Brandon Sparks for the logo heads up.

Three Youths Get Probation for Starting Civic Stadium Fire

Three of the four boys accused of playing with fire and starting a massive blaze that destroyed historic Civic Stadium in Eugene (OR) will spend up to five years on probation. Investigators say three 12-year-olds and a 10-year-old were playing with fire and then ran away when the flames got out of control.  The case against a fourth boy charged in the fire is ongoing.  Read more and see photos here.

Civic Stadium’s former tenant paid tribute to the destroyed ballpark on Aug. 16, Eugene Emeralds Twitter photo.

Jail Time Unlikely for Ballpark Firestarters

Police officials say jail time isn’t likely if convictions are handed down for the four youths charged with setting a fire that destroyed historic Civic Stadium in Eugene (OR).  Read more here.  The old ballpark was the former home of the Eugene Emeralds (Single-A, Northwest League) and was slated for a soccer makeover after recently being saved from the wrecking ball.

Civic Stadium Fire Blamed on Boys

A massive fire that destroyed Eugene’s historic Civic Stadium, the former home of the Eugene Emeralds (Single-A, Northwest League), was caused by four boys playing with fire who fled when the flames got out of control, investigators said Thursday.  Read more here.

RIP Civic Stadium

Fire Destroys Historic Civic Stadium

Recently saved historic Civic Stadium in Eugene is considered a complete loss after a fire engulfed it Monday, sending flames shooting high into the evening air.  The 78-year-old ballpark served as the home of the Eugene Emeralds (Single-A, Northwest League) from 1969-2009.  Read more here.  View photos here and here.

Eugene’s Civic Stadium Saved

The Eugene Civic Alliance on Monday completed the purchase of Eugene’s historic Civic Stadium, giving supporters an opportunity to renovate the ballpark for soccer and providing a site for a Kidsports fieldhouse.  The acquisition starts a new chapter in the story of the 78-year-old stadium, which served as the home of the Eugene Emeralds (Single-A, Northwest League) from 1969-2009.  Read more here.

“Battered Bastards” Worth a Look

If you haven’t already done so, we recommend you check out the Netflix original documentary, The Battered Bastards of Baseball, about the short-lived (1973-1977) independent Single-A Portland Mavericks (Northwest League) launched by former minor-league player and television actor Bing Russell, father of movie star Kurt Russell.  We finally got around to watching it, and it’s definitely worth checking out.  Read more here.  Read reviews on Rotten Tomatoes here.  Go to the film on Netflix here.

 

Supporters Must Raise $3 Million to Truly Save Civic Stadium

The Eugene (OR) School Board on Wednesday selected the city’s $4.5 million bid to buy the shuttered Civic Stadium property, but the deal won’t be consummated by the city unless supporters raise $3 million in the next few months to renovate the old wooden grandstand and install a new sports field.  Read more here.  Visit Friends of Civic Stadium here.

Groups Rally for Competing Civic Stadium Proposals

With the future of the former home of the Single-A Eugene Emeralds (Northwest League) hanging in the balance, community groups held separate rallies Saturday to build public support for their divergent visions for historic Civic Stadium.  Read more here.  Read ballpark editorial here.  Visit Friends of Civic Stadium here.  View Save Civic Stadium rally photo here.

Let’s Be Civil to Civic Stadium

Those who are trying to save Civic Stadium, former home of the Single-A Eugene Emeralds (Northwest League), have posted a YouTube video of a song called “Let’s Be Civil to Civic Stadium.”  Watch video here.  Sadly, the old ballpark could be headed for a date with the wrecking ball.  Read more here.  Thanks to Brian Merzbach for posting the link to the video on Facebook.

Four Bids Submitted for Eugene’s Old Civic Stadium

Eugene (OR) School District received four proposals by Tuesday afternoon’s deadline to submit offers for Civic Stadium, the former home of the Single-A Eugene Emeralds (Northwest League), and the property on which it sits.  The offers ranged from a low of $16.56 to a high of $5 million.  Read more here.  View proposals here.

Dilapidated Outfield Fence Comes Down at Old Civic Stadium

With permission from the Eugene School District, which owns the property, volunteers from Save Civic Stadium took down the weathered and rotting outfield fence at Civic Stadium, the former home of the Single-A Eugene Emeralds (Northwest League).  The group felt the fence was an eyesore and inhibited the ability of Eugene residents to truly envision the redevelopment plan they are pushing for the property.  Read more here.

Old vs. New in Eugene

Nate Gartrell from the Eugene Daily News takes a look at PK Park, the current home, and historic Civic Stadium, the former home, for the Single-A Eugene Emeralds (Northwest League).  Read more here.

New Proposal to Save Civic Stadium

Three interested parties have banded together to offer a one-year lease deal to the Eugene School District to save historic Civic Stadium, former home of the Single-A Eugene Emeralds (Northwest League), from the wrecking ball.   The new group, Civic Community Group, is made up of Save Civic Stadium, the Eugene YMCA, and Ron Crasilneck, owner of Market of Choice.  Read more here.

Volunteers Clean Up Civic Stadium Yard

Despite the fact that the future of historic Civic Stadium in Eugene (OR) is still up in the air, a crew of more than 20 volunteers organized by the “Save Civic Stadium” group showed up at the old ballpark on Saturday for a day of on-field clean up.  Read more and view video here.

Civic Stadium Documentary in the Works

Rick Pettigrew is making a documentary about historic Civic Stadium, former home of the Single-a Eugene (OR) Emeralds.  Pettigrew has created a trailer but needs $50,000 to complete the project.  As you know, Civic Stadium is at risk of being demolished.  Read more here.  Watch trailer here.  Donate here.

Civic Stadium: Fred Meyer Bid on Deck for Wednesday

Despite the last-minute offer made by Rick Wright, owner of Market of Choice grocery chain, to lease old Civic Stadium for $250,000 a year for three years, the Eugene School Board could vote to accept the Fred Meyer supermarket bid on Wednesday over the development proposals submitted by Save Civic Stadium and the YMCA.  Read more here.  View all three proposals here.  View the board’s agenda for Wednesday here.

Days Numbered for Civic Stadium?

The development plans put forth by the “Save Civic Stadium” group and the YMCA did not make the grade for Eugene (OR) Superintendent George Russell.  He has recommended that the Eugene School Board adopt the Fred Myer plan for improving the historic site, on which now-neglected Civic Stadium sits.  However, hope remains to save the old ballpark, as the board must still vote on the plans.  Read more here.  View video here.

School Board Agrees to Delay Consideration of Civic Stadium Proposals

At the request of the Eugene (OR) City Council, the Eugene School Board voted on Wednesday to temporarily delay consideration of three proposals submitted by developers, including the Save Civic Stadium group, to buy or lease historic Civic Stadium and the property on which it sits.  Reportedly, a new committee of stakeholders will now be appointed to explore public-private options to preserve the old ballpark and

Three Bids Submitted for Civic Stadium Site

The Eugene School District received three bids for the site where 73-year-old Civic Stadium, former home of the Single-A Eugene Emeralds, is located.  One proposal would place a new 100,000 square foot Fred Meyer store on the site.  Another proposal from the Eugene YMCA would put a new $20 million building on the Civic Stadium parking lot.  The third proposal from the group “Save Civic Stadium” would preserve the

Back to the Drawing Board for ‘Save Civic Stadium’ Group

The idea of converting Eugene’s historic Civic Stadium into a pro soccer, entertainment, and recreation venue has been abandoned by a four-person investment group that found the cost and complexity of raising funds through a private offering to be too much to handle.  Read more here.

Civic Stadium on the Block

The Eugene School Board voted on Wednesday to unload 72-year-old Civic Stadium. The group Save Civic Stadium is still fighting to keep the historic former home of the Eugene Emeralds from the wrecking ball and turn it into a thriving venue for pro soccer, entertainment, and community recreation.  Read more here.

Plan to Save Civic Stadium Revealed

A study completed by Bend (OR)-based stadium consultant Marshall Glickman calls for historic Civic Stadium in Eugene (OR), the former home of the Eugene Emeralds, to be converted from a baseball facility to a $70 million complex for professional soccer, entertainment, and recreation.  The study was funded by $10,000 in private donations and $5,000 from the City of Eugene.  Read more here.

Stadium Preservation Group Hires G2

The group “Save Civic Stadium” has hired Marshall Glickman to help advance their efforts to protect Eugene’s Civic Stadium from the wrecking ball.  Clickman is the former president of the NBA’s Portland Trailblazers and CEO of G2 (stands for “Glickman Global”) Strategies, LLC. 

Save Civic Stadium!

The 4J School District is holding a public hearing on Thursday, February 25 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss the future of historic Civic Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.  The group Save Civic Stadium is expected to be there in full force.

Civic Stadium Feeling the Heat

The future of Civic Stadium, the historic former home of the Single-A Eugene Emeralds, lies in the hands of the Eugene School Board.  The board appears to be moving ahead with plans to unload the property.  The board may soon seek requests for proposals from potential buyers.  That said, if you haven’t visited the 72-year-old ballpark yet, you have a little time.  According to the district’s facilities and transportation direct, Jon Lauch, a sale would probably not happen until the fall at the earliest.  Read more here.

Group Moves to Save Civic Stadium

The Eugene Emeralds have played their last game at Civic Stadium, but the Save Civic Stadium Committee has a bold $5 to $10 million restoration plan to protect the stadium from the wrecking ball.  Read more here.